Monday, May 17, 2010

It’s a bird; it’s a plane; it’s… yogurt! It appears that plain, simple yogurt may be the newest superhero in our ongoing battle against gum disease. Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan studied nearly a thousand subjects between the ages of 40 and 79, and found that those with higher intakes of lactic acid foods like yogurt exhibited significantly fewer signs of periodontal (gum) disease. The study concluded that regularly eating yogurt may help keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Gum disease is an infection that occurs in the gums, deep tissues and bones that support your teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. The American Academy of Periodontology cites gum disease as the primary cause of tooth loss in adults age 35 and over.

The best way to fend off gum disease is to follow the same measures you take to avoid cavities:

-Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

-Floss every day between each tooth and behind your molars
-Have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular schedule
-Maintain a healthy diet (and perhaps add some yogurt!)
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of gum disease, since it can often occur without pain or discomfort to signal its presence.

Keep a lookout for:
-Gums that appear red or swollen
-Gums that feel tender
-Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
-Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
-Persistent bad breath
-Loose teeth
-Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

"Have a WUnderful day!"

About Me

I treat my patients like extended family members and I especially enjoy the relationships I am able to establish with patients and their families during and after orthodontic treatment. I am looking forward to providing you with cutting edge orthodontic treatment with excellent service. We are here to give you a "Wu"nderful smile!

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More About Dr. Eric Wu

A graduate of Gunn High School in Palo Alto, I received my Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego. I had a one-year hiatus working as a plant molecular biology research assistant at the Salk Institute in La Jolla before going to dental school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. My clinical training included a one-month stint at Guy's Kings St. Thomas Medical/Dental College in London, England. After graduating from Penn in 2000, I did a one-year Advanced Education General Dentistry residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, where I treated complex interdisciplinary cases and learned a lot on occlusion, aesthetics and how an ideal "bite" should be. Upon finishing that program, I worked as a general dentist for one year in Los Angeles in a cosmetic dental practice. I did my orthodontic residency at the University of Pittsburgh. I am a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Midpeninsula Dental Society. I am a certified Invisalign provider. I enjoy keeping up to date with the latest technology and treatments and attend continuing education courses on a regular basis. I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese as well as being proficient in German. In my spare time, I enjoy mountain climbing, hiking, golfing in the Bay Area, and I love to travel.